At approximately 0726 EST, initial reports indicated that an explosion impacted the BAE Systems munitions facility in Glascoed, Monmouthshire, UK. Emergency services have been dispatched to the facility.
At 10.49am on Wednesday 17th April, an incident occurred at the premises of BAE Systems Glascoed when an explosion occurred within a building.
All Emergency Services are at the scene and an Incident Control Post has been set up to deal with the incident. pic.twitter.com/BwQXN7cYVm
— South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (@SWFireandRescue) April 17, 2024
By 0850 EST, BBC had confirmed with BAE that all personnel at the facility were reported safe. Eyewitnesses told South Wales Argus that the explosions “felt like an earthquake”. The surrounding area has been closed to the public, it is not currently clear what caused the explosion as officials establish a cordon and response teams.
This specific facility was originally a Royal Navy munitions plant which is equipped with several protective measures to shield the surrounding area from the effects of a major incident including blast mounds. In 2005, BAE Systems Land and Armaments officially signed the contract for the spaces and began filling orders for the British government.
On August 20th, 2008, the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) announced a 15 year £2bn contract with BAE Systems to supply British forces with medium caliber and small arms ammunition.
